HomeSearch by dateVacation packagesHotelsFlight dealsCar rentalTravel tips & news
Columbia

$249+ Cheap flights from Des Moines to Columbia (DSM - CAE)

This is the cheapest one-way flight price found by a Cheapflights user in the last 72 hours by searching for a flight departing on 2/27. Fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel.
DSM — CAE
Feb 19 — Feb 261
Thu 2/19
Thu 2/26
1 adult, Economy
We work with more than 300 partners to bring you better travel deals

Find cheap flights from Des Moines to Columbia with Cheapflights

1. Tell us where you want to go

Enter your travel information like dates, passengers, trip type (one-way or round trip), and preferred cabin class then click “Find deals”

2. Select your favorite providers

We find the providers serving your travel needs. Choose up to four travel providers to compare side-by-side for flights, hotels, or car rentals.

3. Compare prices and book

Review each provider’s pricing and select the best option for you! Book through your favorite provider’s website for a seamless experience.

Cheap flight deals from Des Moines to Columbia

Cheapest flights from Des Moines to Columbia
Explore the most affordable flight options available from Des Moines to Columbia. Find the lowest fares from popular airlines and budget airlines, with prices last updated on January 20, 2026.

This American Airlines deal was found by Cheapflights users on 1/20. Clicking the “Pick Dates” button in this card will allow you to select your dates and further customize your flight criteria. From there, click “Find deals”, make sure American Airlines is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Tue 2/177:45 am
DSM
-
CAE
1 stop8h 10m
American Airlines
Tue 2/246:48 am
CAE
-
DSM
1 stop7h 30m
American Airlines
Deal found 1/20$269
This American Airlines deal was found by Cheapflights users on 1/18. Clicking the “Pick Dates” button in this card will allow you to select your dates and further customize your flight criteria. From there, click “Find deals”, make sure American Airlines is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Wed 3/47:45 am
DSM
-
CAE
1 stop8h 10m
American Airlines
Wed 3/117:01 am
CAE
-
DSM
1 stop7h 06m
American Airlines
Deal found 1/18$270
This Delta deal was found by Cheapflights users on 1/17. Clicking the “Pick Dates” button in this card will allow you to select your dates and further customize your flight criteria. From there, click “Find deals”, make sure Delta is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Wed 3/46:19 am
DSM
-
CAE
2 stops9h 02m
Delta
Wed 3/115:34 am
CAE
-
DSM
1 stop6h 14m
Delta
Deal found 1/17$274
This Delta deal was found by Cheapflights users on 1/18. Clicking the “Pick Dates” button in this card will allow you to select your dates and further customize your flight criteria. From there, click “Find deals”, make sure Delta is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Thu 2/196:19 am
DSM
-
CAE
2 stops10h 46m
Delta
Mon 2/236:50 pm
CAE
-
DSM
1 stop4h 38m
Delta
Deal found 1/18$319
This American Airlines deal was found by Cheapflights users on 1/18. Clicking the “Pick Dates” button in this card will allow you to select your dates and further customize your flight criteria. From there, click “Find deals”, make sure American Airlines is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Wed 2/255:00 am
DSM
-
CAE
2 stops7h 42m
American Airlines
Tue 3/32:08 pm
CAE
-
DSM
2 stops10h 32m
American Airlines
Deal found 1/18$337
This American Airlines deal was found by Cheapflights users on 1/18. Clicking the “Pick Dates” button in this card will allow you to select your dates and further customize your flight criteria. From there, click “Find deals”, make sure American Airlines is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Thu 2/267:45 am
DSM
-
CAE
1 stop8h 10m
American Airlines
Mon 3/26:15 pm
CAE
-
DSM
1 stop4h 44m
American Airlines
Deal found 1/18$402
This United Airlines deal was found by Cheapflights users on 1/17. Clicking the “Pick Dates” button in this card will allow you to select your dates and further customize your flight criteria. From there, click “Find deals”, make sure United Airlines is selected, and click “Compare selected” under the list of providers to see comparable flight deals.
Sat 1/247:50 am
DSM
-
CAE
1 stop5h 10m
United Airlines
Wed 1/288:00 am
CAE
-
DSM
1 stop7h 33m
United Airlines
Deal found 1/17$409

Find flight deals from Des Moines to Columbia

Discover tips and strategies to find the most affordable flight options for your journey from Des Moines (DSM) to Columbia (CAE). Learn about various techniques such as flexible date searches, comparing prices across and setting up price alerts. Use these methods to find the cheapest flights available for your travel needs. Data last updated January 20, 2026.

Most accurate provider

FlightHub
3 stars

Most trusted provider

Expedia
3 stars

Round-trip from

$269
(American Airlines)

One-way from

$249
(American Airlines)

Popular in

January

Cheapest in

August

Average price

$656
Provider with most accurate pricing for Des Moines-Columbia Metropolitan flight deals.
Search Deals
Provider most trusted by Cheapflights users for Des Moines-Columbia Metropolitan flights.
Search Deals
From Des Moines to Columbia Metropolitan
Search Deals
One-way flight from Des Moines to Columbia Metropolitan
Search Deals
Highest demand for flights based on searches. 18% potential increase in price ($91 potential increase over avg. RT price).
Search Deals
Cheapest flight prices on average. 7% potential price decrease ($27 potential savings vs. average RT price).
Search Deals
Average for round-trip flights in January 2026
Search Deals

Cheapflights Fare Finder

 
Customize your flight search to find flights from Des Moines to Columbia that fit within your specific budget. Explore options based on user searches and filter the results based on your desired price range. Find flights that match your budget for a cost-effective journey. Over the last 7 days, Cheapflights users made 2,558,603 searches. Data last updated January 20, 2026.
Use the filters below to find and compare flights from Des Moines to Columbia that are best for you.

Fly from

Des Moines

Fly to

Columbia

Route

Depart

Return

Price

Des MoinesColumbia

DSM - CAE

DSMCAE

Des Moines

Wed 3/4

12:04 pm-6:25 pm

1 stop5h 21m

Columbia Metropolitan

Wed 3/11

5:34 am-10:48 am

1 stop6h 14m

$269

Des MoinesColumbia

DSM - CAE

DSMCAE

Des Moines

Wed 2/25

7:35 am-3:40 pm

1 stop7h 05m

Columbia Metropolitan

Tue 3/3

10:15 am-4:27 pm

1 stop7h 12m

$269

Des MoinesColumbia

DSM - CAE

DSMCAE

Des Moines

Wed 3/4

7:45 am-4:55 pm

1 stop8h 10m

Columbia Metropolitan

Wed 3/11

7:01 am-1:07 pm

1 stop7h 06m

$270

Des MoinesColumbia

DSM - CAE

DSMCAE

Des Moines

Tue 2/17

7:45 am-4:55 pm

1 stop8h 10m

Columbia Metropolitan

Tue 2/24

6:00 am-1:04 pm

2 stops8h 04m

$275

Des MoinesColumbia

DSM - CAE

DSMCAE

Des Moines

Thu 2/19

6:19 am-6:05 pm

2 stops10h 46m

Columbia Metropolitan

Mon 2/23

6:50 pm-10:28 pm

1 stop4h 38m

$319

Des MoinesColumbia

DSM - CAE

DSMCAE

Des Moines

Thu 2/26

7:45 am-4:55 pm

1 stop8h 10m

Columbia Metropolitan

Mon 3/2

6:15 pm-9:59 pm

1 stop4h 44m

$402

Des MoinesColumbia

DSM - CAE

DSMCAE

Des Moines

Fri 2/27

5:00 am-3:44 pm

2 stops9h 44m

Columbia Metropolitan

Mon 3/2

2:38 pm-11:40 pm

2 stops10h 02m

$443

Des MoinesColumbia

DSM - CAE

DSMCAE

Des Moines

Fri 2/27

11:17 am-7:14 pm

1 stop6h 57m

$249

Des MoinesColumbia

DSM - CAE

DSMCAE

Des Moines

Wed 3/4

8:00 am-2:18 pm

1 stop5h 18m

$284

Des MoinesColumbia

DSM - CAE

DSMCAE

Des Moines

Fri 3/6

2:04 pm-8:50 pm

1 stop5h 46m

$315

Flights are sorted by cheapest round-trip flights first.

Deals found on 1/18

Showing 1-10 of 13 results
1
2

Compare providers for flights from Des Moines to Columbia

Provider information is updated monthly. Please note that these providers often have deals for this flight, but the availability may vary on a day-by-day basis on Cheapflights.
Use the table below to compare price accuracy, trust ratings, and cancellation policies for each provider offering flight deals from Des Moines to Columbia in January.
ProviderPrice AccuracyTrust Score*
ExpediaPrice Accuracy2 starsTrust Score*3 stars
FlightHubPrice Accuracy3 starsTrust Score*1 star

*The Trust Score is based on feedback from users after their booking experience. It measures overall satisfaction, helping us identify issues like hidden fees, problems during the ticketing process, and the quality of customer service. This score is our best indicator of the provider's quality and reliability.

  • Most accurate provider: When it comes to deals on Des Moines-Columbia flights, users find the pricing of FlightHub to be most consistent on Cheapflights vs. FlightHub Users can find the same prices on Des Moines-Columbia flight deals on Cheapflights vs. FlightHub >95% of the time. Price accuracy is based on data collected from Des Moines-Columbia flight searches over the past month and is updated monthly.
  • Most trusted provider: When it comes to deals on Des Moines-Columbia flights, Cheapflights users trust Expedia the most. Expedia has received a user feedback score of 3 out of 3 stars (3 being the best), meaning they have been trusted the most by Cheapflights users looking for Des Moines-Columbia flight deals. Provider user feedback score is based on Cheapflights searches over the past month and is updated monthly.

Best time to book a flight from Des Moines to Columbia

Have a flexible travel schedule? Discover the best time to fly to Columbia from Des Moines with our price prediction graph.
Estimated round-trip price
Rates are based on past data. Find the cheapest month and day to book your flight based on your travel requirements, then search for cheap deals.

Cheapflights Insights

Everything you need to know about your flight from Des Moines to Columbia

What is the cheapest month to book a flight from Des Moines to Columbia?

Currently, May is the cheapest month in which you can book a flight from Des Moines to Columbia (average of $166). Flying from Des Moines to Columbia in February is currently the most expensive (average of $273). There are several factors that can impact the price of a flight, so comparing airlines, departure airports and flight times can provide users with more options.

How much does it cost to fly round-trip from Des Moines to Columbia?

Reviews of airlines servicing Columbia

Get insights into the airlines that provide service to Columbia. Read reviews, discover amenities, and learn about the overall travel experience offered by airlines. Use this information to make informed decisions when choosing an airline for your flight to Columbia. Reviews last updated January 20, 2026.
Read reviews from past customers who have flown Delta and American Airlines from Des Moines to Columbia. Reviews also offer insight into each airline's entertainment options, comfort, food, crew/service, and boarding process.
Delta
7.9
Good
8,078 reviews

Food

7.2

Boarding

8.1

Entertainment

7.8

Comfort

7.9

Crew

8.5

Overall

7.9

Reviews

1 / 20
6.0
Good

Jim,Nov 2025

AVL - ATL

The exit row seats without a seat in front are great for leg room but don’t have a fold out entertainment console so you’re forced to use the screen several feet in front of you (there is, at least, a remote). Best to bring a tablet loaded with entertainment or a book.
Delta
7.9
Good
8,078 reviews
Delta
7.9
Good
8,078 reviews

Food

7.2

Boarding

8.1

Entertainment

7.8

Comfort

7.9

Crew

8.5

Overall

7.9

Reviews

1 / 20
6.0
Good

Jim,Nov 2025

AVL - ATL

The exit row seats without a seat in front are great for leg room but don’t have a fold out entertainment console so you’re forced to use the screen several feet in front of you (there is, at least, a remote). Best to bring a tablet loaded with entertainment or a book.
American Airlines
7.2
Good
11,164 reviews
Delta
7.9
Good
8,078 reviews

Food

7.2

Boarding

8.1

Entertainment

7.8

Comfort

7.9

Crew

8.5

Overall

7.9

Reviews

1 / 20
6.0
Good

Jim,Nov 2025

AVL - ATL

The exit row seats without a seat in front are great for leg room but don’t have a fold out entertainment console so you’re forced to use the screen several feet in front of you (there is, at least, a remote). Best to bring a tablet loaded with entertainment or a book.

Related info for your journey

Find useful and relevant information for your journey from Des Moines to Columbia. Access travel guides, tips, and recommendations to enhance your travel experience. Get information about local attractions, weather, transportation options, and more.

  • How long is the flight from Des Moines to Columbia?

    A quick flight from Des Moines to Columbia can take about 5h 21m. Delta provides one of the quickest options available for as low as $269. There are 861 mi between Des Moines and Columbia. This flight may include one or multiple stops.

  • What are the cheapest airlines flying from Des Moines to Columbia round-trip?

    Currently priced at $248, American Airlines will fly you from Des Moines to Columbia and back. In addition to American Airlines, many other airlines offer competitively priced options for your trip. Check Cheapflights for deals on Delta for as low as $248. American Airlines is 37% cheaper than the average price of flights available within the next 90 days to this destination.

  • Can I find deals for flights from Des Moines to Columbia that include hotel bookings?

    Yes. In addition to deals on Des Moines to Columbia flights, Cheapflights offers vacation packages that include both flights and hotel.

  • How can I find direct flights from Des Moines to Columbia?

    After entering your origin and destination, apply the non-stop filter on the search result page to find direct flights from Des Moines to Columbia.

  • Can I find deals for business class flights from Des Moines to Columbia?

    Yes. Cheapflights offers flight deals from Des Moines to Columbia by cabin class. In addition to browsing deals, you can also filter by cabin class on the search results page after making a search.

  • What is the cheapest month to book a flight from Des Moines to Columbia?

    Currently, May is the cheapest month in which you can book a flight from Des Moines to Columbia (average of $166). Flying from Des Moines to Columbia in February is currently the most expensive (average of $273). There are several factors that can impact the price of a flight, so comparing airlines, departure airports and flight times can provide users with more options.

See more FAQs

Traveling to a place near Columbia?

Book flights to Columbia if you plan to visit one of these locations
West Columbia

Browse thousands of different options on Cheapflights for your next trip

Toggle through the tabs below to find thousands of options on Cheapflights for your next trip.

Alternative routes for Des Moines to Columbia

See prices for flight routes from nearby airports that may be better suited for you.
Des Moines to Charlotte flights
Omaha to Charleston flights
Cedar Rapids to Savannah flights
Omaha to Savannah flights
Des Moines to Savannah flights
Omaha to Charlotte flights
Cedar Rapids to Charlotte flights
Moline to Charlotte flights
Des Moines to Charleston flights
Omaha to Myrtle Beach flights
Cedar Rapids to Charleston flights
Cedar Rapids to Greenville flights
Cedar Rapids to Myrtle Beach flights
Des Moines to Myrtle Beach flights
Moline to Myrtle Beach flights
Moline to Savannah flights
Moline to Charleston flights
Omaha to Hilton Head Island flights
Cedar Rapids to Hilton Head Island flights
Omaha to Columbia flights
La Crosse to Charleston flights
Moline to Hilton Head Island flights
Omaha to Greenville flights
Cedar Rapids to Columbia flights
Moline to Augusta flights
Moline to Greenville flights
Des Moines to Hilton Head Island flights
La Crosse to Charlotte flights
Moline to Columbia flights
La Crosse to Savannah flights
Des Moines to Greenville flights
Sioux City to Charleston flights
Sioux City to Charlotte flights
La Crosse to Greenville flights
Sioux City to Columbia flights
Omaha to Florence flights
Cedar Rapids to Florence flights
Moline to Florence flights
Dubuque to Savannah flights
Dubuque to Myrtle Beach flights
Dubuque to Greenville flights
Dubuque to Charlotte flights
Waterloo to Myrtle Beach flights
Waterloo to Greenville flights
Waterloo to Charlotte flights

Top 2 airlines flying from Des Moines to Columbia

Discover the top 2 airlines that operate flights from Des Moines to Columbia. Compare their services, reliability, and customer satisfaction ratings to choose the airline that best suits your travel preferences and needs. Over the last 7 days, Cheapflights users made 2,558,603 searches. Data last updated January 20, 2026.
AirlineCheapestAverageFlexibilityOn-time
American AirlinesCheapest$248Average$365FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-time71%
DeltaCheapest$248Average$348FlexibilityNo cancel feeOn-timeN/A

100% Free

Cheapflights is completely free to use, so you can start saving the moment you arrive.

Book with Flexibility

Our users can plan ahead with confidence and find flights with no change fees

Travel Smart

Millions of people come to us for their flight needs every year. We help make travel planning easy by providing useful insights and data-driven graphs that can inform your decisions.